Systems and methods for mitigating smoke damage to a property

ABSTRACT

Smoke and/or soot damage to an interior of a property, such as a residential building or home, may be mitigated. A controller is in communication with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the property. The controller is configured to receive an alert and/or intelligent home telematics data generated based upon a potential presence of smoke in a location associated with the property, either exterior or interior to the property. In response to receiving the alert and/or intelligent home telematics data, the controller is further configured deactivate an air circulation function of the HVAC system to mitigate smoke or fire damage to the property. The intelligent home telematics data may be generated by various smoke, fire, audio, visual, infrared, motion, and/or other smart sensors mounted about the interior and/or exterior of the property.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/255,134, filed Jan. 23, 2019 and entitled“Systems and Methods for Mitigating Smoke Damage to a Property,” whichis a continuation of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/632,859 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,253,995), filed Jun. 26, 2017and entitled “Systems and Methods for Mitigating Smoke Damage to aProperty,” which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/452,721, filed Jan. 31, 2017, entitled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MITIGATING SMOKE DAMAGE TO A PROPERTY,” to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/454,160, filed Feb. 3, 2017,entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MITIGATING SMOKE DAMAGE TO APROPERTY,” and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/469,849,filed Mar. 10, 2017, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MITIGATING SMOKEDAMAGE TO A PROPERTY,” the entire contents and disclosure of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to mitigating smoke damage to a propertyand, more particularly, to systems and methods for controlling aventilation system at a property for mitigating smoke and soot damage toa property, such as a residential property.

BACKGROUND

Fire damage is not the sole concern in the event of a fire within ornear a property. Although smoke, ash, and soot damage to a home may notcause significant physical damage to the home, it may be difficult andcostly to clean and/or repair, and, in some cases, items may need to bereplaced. In the case of wildfires, for example, smoke and soot damagemay occur within a property from a wildfire many miles away. In the caseof interior smoke and/or fires (e.g., generated during cooking), smokemay make its way through a building to rooms other than those in whichthe smoke and/or fire originated. In particular, Heating, Ventilation,and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems within a building may continue tocirculate air even when doing so can spread smoke, ash, and/or sootthroughout the building. Especially in newer construction, HVAC systemsmay use an exterior intake to circulate air throughout the building,which may bring smoke originating outside the building into thebuilding.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present embodiments may relate to systems and methods forcontrolling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systemto mitigate smoke, ash, and/or soot damage to a property. As usedherein, a “property” may refer to a home, a residence, an apartment, acondominium, a business, or any other building. A controller within theproperty may receive an alert generated (e.g., by one or more sensors orby an emergency service) based upon a potential presence of smoke in alocation associated with the property and, in response to the alert,deactivate an air circulation function of the HVAC system, to stop theHVAC system from circulating air through the property. The alert mayinclude an emergency (e.g., wildfire) alert from emergency services(e.g., the National Weather Service (NWS)). Additionally oralternatively, the alert may include an audio signal and/or analternative alert generated by an activated smoke detector within theproperty. The controller may additionally or alternatively receiveand/or analyze smart home telematics data collected by one or moresensors within and/or around the property to determine whether smoke,fire, ash, and/or soot are present. To deactivate the air circulationfunction of the HVAC system, the controller may deactivate, for example,a blower component and/or a heat exchanger of the HVAC system to stopthe blower component from blowing air through ductwork of the HVACsystem and/or the heat exchanger from bringing in dirty air from outsidethe property. Additionally or alternatively, the controller maydeactivate at least one of a furnace unit, an air conditioner unit, anda fan unit. In some embodiments, the controller may activate one or moredampers within the ductwork to prevent air from passing through theductwork.

In one aspect, a controller for controlling an HVAC system to mitigatesmoke damage to a property may be provided. The controller may be incommunication with the HVAC system. The controller may include one ormore processors in communication with a memory device. The one or moreprocessors may be programmed to (i) receive an alert generated basedupon a potential presence of at least one of smoke and fire in alocation associated with the property, and (ii) in response to receivingthe alert, deactivate an air circulation function of the HVAC system.The one or more processors may be programmed to perform additional,fewer, and/or alternative functions.

In another aspect, a method for controlling an HVAC system to mitigatesmoke damage to a property may be provided. The method may beimplemented using a controller in communication with the HVAC system.The method may include (i) receiving, by the controller, an alertgenerated based upon a potential presence of at least one of smoke andfire a location associated with the property, and (ii) in response toreceiving the alert, deactivating, by the controller, an air circulationfunction of the HVAC system. The method may include additional, fewer,and/or alternative steps.

In a further aspect, at least one non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium may be provided. The non-transitory storage medium mayhave computer-executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein whenexecuted by at least one processor of a controller in communication withan HVAC system of a property, the computer-executable instructions maycause the at least one processor to: (i) receive an alert generatedbased upon a potential presence of at least one of smoke and fire in alocation associated with the property, and (ii) in response to receivingthe alert, deactivate an air circulation function of the HVAC system.The computer-executable instructions may cause the at least oneprocessor to perform additional, fewer, and/or alternative functions.

Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following description of the preferred embodiments which have beenshown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, thepresent embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments,and their details are capable of modification in various respects.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures described below depict various aspects of the systems andmethods disclosed therein. It should be understood that each Figuredepicts an embodiment of a particular aspect of the disclosed systemsand methods, and that each of the Figures is intended to accord with apossible embodiment thereof. Further, wherever possible, the followingdescription refers to the reference numerals included in the followingFigures, in which features depicted in multiple Figures are designatedwith consistent reference numerals.

There are shown in the drawings arrangements which are presentlydiscussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodimentsare not limited to the precise arrangements and are instrumentalitiesshown, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary building environment in which an exemplarycontrol system control a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) system to mitigate smoke and/or soot damage to a property;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary schematic diagram of the control systemshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic illustration of exemplary weather data thatmay be used by the control system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary controller that maybe used in the control system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary computer-implementedmethod for controlling an HVAC system to mitigate smoke damage to aproperty;

FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of components of one or more exemplarycomputing device that may be used in the control system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a user computing devicethat may be used with the control system shown in FIG. 1, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a server system thatmay be used with the control system shown in FIG. 1, in accordance withone embodiment of the present disclosure.

The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustrationonly. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the followingdiscussion that alternative embodiments of the systems and methodsillustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principlesof the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present embodiments may relate to, inter alia, systems and methodsfor controlling an HVAC system. The control system described hereinincludes a controller, which may be communicatively coupled to one ormore components of the HVAC system. The controller may be configured toreceive an alert generated based upon the presence (or potentialpresence) of smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot in a location associated withthe property, where the smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot may present thepotential for damage to the interior of the property. The controller, inresponse to the received alert, may deactivate an air circulationfunction of the HVAC system, thereby preventing air from circulatingthroughout the property to mitigate smoke/soot/ash damage to theproperty.

In the exemplary embodiment, the control system may be implementedwithin a property, such as a residential structure (e.g., a home). Theproperty may further include one of more HVAC systems that are designedto circulate air within the property. If smoke, fire, ash, or soot iswithin the property, circulating air may circulate smoke from affectedareas to unaffected areas, thus spreading smoke damage. The controlsystem described herein may be implemented to function in at least twoscenarios. First, the control system may function to mitigate smokedamage from a smoke event internal to the property, such as a cookingfire. In such circumstances, a controller of the control system may beconfigured to utilize sound detection to detect an alarm generated by asmoke detector in response to detecting smoke/soot/fire/ash within theproperty. Second, the control system may function to mitigate smokedamage from a smoke event external to the property, such as a wildfire,which may generate smoke plumes. In such circumstances, the controllermay be configured to receive emergency alerts, such as weather alerts orradio alerts generated by the National Weather Service (NWS) or NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The alert, in each ofthese scenarios, may be an alert generated by at least one of: (i) adevice exterior to the property, (ii) a device within the property andexterior to the HVAC system, and (iii) a device within the property andwithin the HVAC system. More particularly, in at least one exemplaryembodiment, the alert may include an alert generated by at least one of:(i) a device exterior to the property, and (ii) a device within theproperty and exterior to the HVAC system. In other words, the controllerreceives alerts generated by other devices in response to those devicessensing smoke/soot/fire/ash or in response to a potential presence ofsmoke/soot/fire/ash.

Upon activation (e.g., receiving an alert), the control system describedherein may halt and/or hamper any HVAC air circulation mechanisms, bothactive and/or passive, to prevent smoke from being spread within theproperty. For example, the controller may be configured to automaticallydisconnect power to one or more electrical components of the HVAC systemto deactivate the air circulation function of the HVAC system. Asdescribed further herein, active air circulation mechanisms may includea blower or fan, and passive air circulation mechanisms may include theunassisted movement of air through ductwork. The control system mayadditionally or alternatively be configured to automatically deactivateone or more other components of a property that may circulate and/orprovide access for smoky/sooty/ashy air to enter the property, such asan exhaust fan (e.g., a whole-house exhaust, bathroom exhaust, stovehood exhaust) or clothes dryer with an exterior vent.

In addition, the controller may be configured to reactivate the aircirculation function of the HVAC system under prescribed conditions. Forexample, if the controller determines that a smoke event has passed(e.g., the controller does not receive any smoke detector alarms forfifteen minutes), the controller may automatically reactivate the aircirculation function. In some embodiments, “Smart Home” or Internet ofThings (IoT) technology may be used to modify user preferences, such ashow long the controller waits to reactivate the air circulationfunction, preferences for when a user wishes to be notified of thecontroller functions, and/or additional settings or preferences.

In some embodiments, the control system described herein may be providedas part of a “Smart Home” system including a plurality of “smart” orinterconnected computing devices. The control system may beinterconnected to one or more other computing devices via a wired and/orwireless connection, such that a user of the control system (e.g., ahomeowner) may be able to control one or more parameters or settings ofthe control system using a control panel and/or a connected “smart” usercomputing device, such as a smart phone, personal computer, or tablet.“Smart Home” systems may include, for example, security systems,interior and/or exterior lighting systems, garage door systems, utilitymonitoring systems, programmable HVAC systems, exhaust fans, appliances(e.g., ovens, stoves, washing machines, dryers, etc.), smart homecontrollers or command devices (e.g., Amazon Echo®, Google Home®, etc.),and/or a plurality of other systems and/or computing devices. Inaddition, the “Smart Home” system may include one or more sensors, suchas smart sensors, configured to collect smart home telematics fromlocations within and around the property.

Exemplary sensors placed about a home and/or embedded within building orconstruction materials (such as embedded throughout constructionmaterials and/or embedded within certain or limited amounts ofconstruction materials that are used at specific or strategic locationswithin the home) are shown in the Figures and discussed further below.The sensors may be “smart sensors” and each may include one or moretypes of sensors (smoke, temperature, sound/audio signal, wind, light,ozone, pollutants, etc.), processors, power units, batteries, clocks,Global Positioning System (GPS) units, memory units, instructions,clocks, actuators, transmitter, receivers, transceivers, otherelectronic components, miniature electronics and circuitry, etc. Eachsmart sensor may be configured for wireless radio frequency (RF)communication and/or data transmission, and/or for wired datatransmission, to other devices (such as via wireless communication ordata transmission over one or more radio frequency links or digitalcommunication channels), such as the controller, user computing devices,smart home controllers, and/or remote servers, such as remote serversassociated with insurance providers. The data collected by the smartsensors, and/or other sensors mounted on the interior or exterior of ahome or other property may be characterized as intelligent hometelematics data or smart home telematics data.

Systems and methods are described herein for controlling an HVAC systemto mitigate smoke, ash, and/or soot damage to a building, such as aresidential house. In one embodiment, a control system may be provided.The control system may include a controller configured to: (i) receivean alert generated based upon a potential presence of at least one ofsmoke and fire in a location associated with the property, and/or (ii)in response to receiving the alert, deactivate an air circulationfunction of the HVAC system. Additionally or alternatively, the controlsystem may include a controller configured to: (i) receive smart hometelematics data (such as data generated or collected by smoke, fire,soot, ash, audio, visual, video, and/or other smart sensors mountedabout the interior and/or exterior of a home), (ii) analyze the hometelematics data to identify any indicators of a potential presence ofsmoke and/or fire in a location associated with the property, and/or(iii) in response to identifying any indicators of smoke and/or fire,deactivate an air circulation function of the HVAC system.

At least one of the technical problems addressed by this system mayinclude: (i) increased smoke, ash, and/or soot damage to a home due toair circulation during a smoke/soot/ash event; (ii) difficulty inmanually mitigating and/or preventing smoke damage; (iii) difficultydetecting and responding to a smoke/soot/ash event when not presentwithin a property; and/or (iv) increased costs in cleaning/repairingsmoke damage to effected properties.

The technical effect achieved by this system may be at least one of: (i)prompt detection of smoke events; (ii) prompt mitigation of smoke damagein response to detected smoke events; (iii) automatic and improvedresponse to smoke events without manual intervention; (iv) decreasedrisk of smoke/soot/ash damage in properties near to smoke/soot/ashevents; and/or (v) reduced cost in cleaning/repairing smoke damage toeffected properties. Other technical effects may include theintersection of wireless communication (such as between sensors,response control computing devices, and/or insurance provider remoteservers) and insurance-related activities (such as generatingrecommendations that alleviate potential smoke/soot/ash damage, and/orupdate insurance policies, premiums, discounts, and/or rates based upona more accurate and up-to-date picture of insurance-related risk, orlack of risk, due to smoke/soot/ash prevention within a home or otherbuilding).

Exemplary Control System for Controlling an HVAC System to MitigateSmoke Damage to a Property

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary building environment 100 in which a controlsystem 102 monitors a property 104, such as a residential home of aproperty owner (“homeowner”) 106, for the presence of smoke in alocation associated with property 104. In the exemplary embodiment,control system 102 may include a response control computing device 110,also referred to as a “controller” 110, and a plurality of sensors 112deployed (and/or mounted or embedded) throughout property 104. Sensors112 may include, broadly, any kind of sensor 112 (e.g., smoke,temperature, sound/audio signal, light, wind, motion, video, ozone,pollutant, etc.). The data generated and/or collected by the smart orother sensors 112 may be characterized as smart home telematics data. Inthe exemplary embodiment, sensors 112 specifically include smokedetectors 114 and audio signal sensors 116, as described further herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, property 104 may include an HVAC system120. HVAC system 120 is configured to circulate air (e.g., heated and/orconditioned air, in some embodiments) throughout property 104. Morespecifically, in the illustrated embodiment, HVAC system 120 may includean air conditioning unit 122, a furnace unit 124, and ductwork 126. Airconditioning unit 122 may be configured to condition and/or cool airfrom an environment 128 external to property 104 and to circulate theconditioned and/or cooled air through ductwork 126 to one or more rooms108 of property 104.

Furnace unit 124 may be configured to heat air from environment 128 andto circulate the heated air through ductwork 126 to one or more rooms108 of property 104. In the exemplary embodiment, furnace unit 124 mayinclude a blower component 130 configured to force air (e.g., heatedair) from furnace unit 124 through ductwork 126. Blower components 130may include, for example but without limitation, a bladed fan, abladeless fan, an axial-flow fan, a centrifugal-flow fan, a bellowscomponent, a compressor, a convective circulation unit, an electrostaticfluid accelerator, and/or any other component that induces air flow.

Air conditioning unit 122 may additionally or alternatively include ablower component similar to blower component 130. In some embodiments,one of air conditioning unit 122 and furnace unit 124 may be activatedto bring a temperature of air within property 104 to a desired (e.g.,predetermined by a user such as homeowner 106) temperature. The desiredtemperature may be set and/or programmed using a thermostat 123 and/oralternative control device (e.g., a user computing device 105 ofhomeowner 106). It should be understood that one of air conditioningunit 122 and furnace unit 124 may be used to circulate “un-conditioned”or “environmental” air throughout property 104 using a blower component130. In other words, one of air conditioning unit 122 and furnace unit124 may circulate air directly from environment 128 into property 104,without heating, conditioning, and/or cooling thereof (e.g., using a“fan” function of one of air conditioning unit 122 and furnace unit124).

At least one of air conditioning unit 122 and furnace unit 124 mayinclude one or more air-to-air heat exchangers 125 to supply air toproperty 104. Heat exchanger(s) 125 may include a heat recoveryventilator (HRV) and/or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Heatexchanger(s) 125 may include filters therein.

Ductwork 126 may include a plurality of ducts 129 that are disposedthroughout property 104 to channel air therethrough, into rooms 108 ofproperty 104. In some embodiments, ducts 129 may be positioned withinthe walls, ceilings, and/or floors of property 104. Additionally oralternatively, ducts 129 may be positioned adjacent the walls, ceilings,and/or floors of property 104 (e.g., ducts 129 may be exposed). In theexemplary embodiment, ducts 129 commence at furnace unit 124 and/or airconditioning unit 122 and terminate at one or more vents 132.

Vents 132 may be disposed within the walls, ceilings, and/or floors ofproperty 104. More particularly, vents 132 may be arranged such thateach room 108 of property 104 has at least one duct 129 terminatingthereat, such that each room 108 receives air circulation via HVACsystem 120. Vents 132 may each include at least one actuator 134,wherein actuator 134 is used to control air flow through vent 132. Forexample, homeowner 106 may manually manipulate actuator 134 to closevent 132, thereby restricting and/or preventing airflow through thatvent 132, or open vent 132, thereby enabling airflow through that vent132. In some embodiments, actuator 134 may be remotely controllable, forinstance, using controller 110 (and/or user computing device 105). Forexample, actuator 134 may include a receiver and/or transceiver (notshown) configured to receive wired and/or wireless control signals thatcause actuator 134 to close and/or open vent 132.

In addition, in some embodiments, one or more ducts 129 include a damper136 therein. A damper 136 is configured to restrict and/or preventairflow therepast, within the respective duct 129 in which damper 136 islocated. Dampers 136 may include panels of vapor-impermeable materialand may include one or more sealing components along edges thereof, suchthat a damper 136 may create a vapor-impermeable seal in a duct 129 whendamper 136 is activated. Dampers 136 may each include at least oneactuator 138, wherein actuator 138 is used to control the position ofthe respective damper 136.

Actuator 138 may be remotely controllable, for instance, usingcontroller 110 (and/or user computing device 105). For example, actuator138 may include a receiver and/or transceiver (not shown) configured toreceive wired and/or wireless control signals that cause actuator 138 toactivate damper 136 (i.e., cause damper 136 to restrict and/or preventairflow therepast) and/or deactivate damper 136 (i.e., cause damper 136to enable airflow therepast). In some embodiments, each damper 136 mayinclude an independently controller actuator 138 such that each damper136 may be independently activated and/or deactivated. In otherembodiment, the actuators 138 of all dampers 136 may be collectivelycontrolled, such that all dampers 136 are activated and/or deactivatedat once.

HVAC system 120 may further include one or more combustion makeup vents140. Makeup vents 140 may provide air for combustion in gas-firedappliances, such as furnaces (e.g., furnace unit 124), water heaters,dryers, and/or non-sealed gas fireplaces. Each makeup vent 140 inproperty 104 may have a specific damper 136 (not specifically shown withrespect to illustrated makeup vent 140) associated therewith.

In the exemplary embodiment, controller 110 may be in communication withone or more components of HVAC system 120 such that controller 110 cancontrol operation of one or more component of HVAC system 120. In oneembodiment, controller 110 may be coupled to and/or adjacent to furnaceunit 124, such that controller 110 is accessible within property 104 andmay be in wired and/or wireless communication with furnace unit 124. Inanother embodiment, controller 110 may be remote from furnace unit 124,such as coupled to and/or integral to thermostat 123 or a smart-homecontroller (not shown) within property 104. In still other embodiments,controller 110 may be coupled to air conditioning unit 122 and/orotherwise exterior to property 104.

Irrespective of the location of controller 110, controller 110 may be inwired and/or wireless communication with one or more components of HVACsystem 120 (e.g., via one or more receivers, transmitters, and/ortransceivers within controller 110 and/or one or more components of HVACsystem 120) such that controller 110 may receive signals from and/ortransmit control signals to one or more components of HVAC system 120(such as via wireless communication or data transmission over one ormore radio frequency links or digital communication channels). Forinstance, controller 110 may receive signals from and/or transmitsignals to one or more of air conditioning unit 122, furnace unit 124,blower component 130 (of air conditioning unit 122 and/or of furnace124), heat exchanger 125 (of air conditioning unit 122 and/or of furnaceunit 124) vents 132 (e.g., via actuators 134), and/or dampers 136 (e.g.,via actuators 138).

As described further herein, controller 110 may be further configured toreceive signals from and/or transmit control signals to one or moreother devices associated with property 104, including, for instance,sensors 112 such as smoke detectors 114 and/or audio sensors 116.Controller 110 may be further configured to receive signals from and/ortransmit control signals to one or more other remote devices, such asuser computing devices 105, remote servers such as a signal hub 202and/or an insurance server 204, and/or emergency service beacon 206(shown and described with respect to FIG. 2).

In the exemplary embodiment, smoke detectors 114 may operate to detectthe presence of smoke in a room 108 of property 104. For example, smokedetectors 114 may include photoelectric smoke detectors, which detectsmoke when smoke particles scatter light within the detector to triggera photo detector. Smoke detectors 114 may additionally or alternativelyinclude ionization smoke detectors, which detect smoke when smokeparticles disrupt an ionized radiation current within the detector. Upondetection of smoke, smoke detector 114 (e.g., a smoke detector 114A) istriggered or activated to generate an audible alarm (e.g., an audiblealarm 115), also referred to as an “alert,” in order to alert homeowner106 of property 104 (and/or any person present at property 104) to thepresence of smoke. In some embodiments, a plurality of smoke detectors114 within a property 104 may be hard-wired to one another, such thatactivation of one smoke detector 114 automatically triggers the rest ofthe smoke detectors 114 to activate. For instance, the activated smokedetector 114 may transmit a control signal to the rest of the smokedetectors 114 that causes the rest of the smoke detectors 114 toactivate and also emit an alarm. In other embodiments, one or more ofsmoke detectors 114 may operate independently of the others.

Moreover, in some embodiments, one or more smoke detectors 114 withinproperty 104 may include a “smart” smoke detector 114. A smart smokedetector 114 may be configured to generate a signal when the smart smokedetector 114 is activated (e.g., when the smart smoke detector 114 hasdetected the presence of smoke). The signal may include an indicatorthat the smart smoke detector 114 has been activated. The smart smokedetector 114 may transmit the signal as to one or more other smokedetectors 114 (e.g., as a control signal to activate the other smokedetectors). Additionally or alternatively, the smart smoke detector 114may transmit the signal as an alert to another device, such ascontroller 110, a user computing device 105, and/or a remote computingdevice (e.g., a remote server such as insurance server 204).

In some embodiments, audio sensors 116 of control system 102 areconfigured to detect an alarm generated by one or more of smokedetectors 114 (e.g., audible alarm 115). Audio sensors 116 may includeany suitable sound- or audio-detection component(s), such as, but notlimited to, microphones, electrostatic sensor(s), piezoelectricsensor(s), high-frequency sensor(s), low-frequency sensor(s), and/or anyother such components. When an audio sensor 116 detects an alarmgenerated by one or more of smoke detectors 114, that audio sensor 116is configured to transmit a signal (e.g., an alert) to controller 110indicating detection of the smoke detector alarm (e.g., alarm 115).Additionally or alternatively, controller 110 itself may include one ormore audio sensors 116 to directly detect alerts (e.g., audible alarms115) generated by smoke detectors 114. It should be understood that insome embodiments in which smoke detectors 114 include smart smokedetectors 114 configured to transmit signals independently, audiosensors 116 may be omitted from control system 102.

In the exemplary embodiment, sensors 112 (e.g., smoke detectors 114and/or audio sensors 116) may be in wired communication with controller110. In other embodiments, some sensors 112 may be in wirelesscommunication with controller 110 (e.g., via an IEEE 802.11 wirelesslocal area network). Sensors 112 may collect, store, and/or transmitsensor data, or smart home telematics data. Sensor data may be storedlocal to sensor 112 and transferred, or collected from sensor 112 andtransferred to controller 110 for storage and/or analysis. Further, inthe example embodiment, some sensors 112 may be locally powered (e.g.,battery, direct-attached solar array), other sensors 112 may be poweredvia connection to a power distribution network (e.g., 120-VoltAlternating Current network of property 104), and still other sensors112 may not require power or are otherwise self-powered.

In some embodiments, sensors 112 may include other sensors, such assmart sensors, configured to collect smart home telematics data thatincludes indicators of smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot within and/oraround property 104. For instance, sensors 112 may include video and/oraudio sensors 112 that capture photos, video, and or audio signals thatindicate a presence of smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot (e.g., a video ofsmoke or the sound of fire crackling). Smart home telematics datacollected by sensors 112 within and/or exterior to property 104 may alsobe utilized to supplement received alerts. For instance, sensors 112 mayinclude wind sensors configured to collect wind speed and/or directiondata. Such wind data may be analyzed by controller 110 to determinewhether a wildfire (or other fire exterior to property 104, such as ahouse fire in a nearby building) is moving towards (or otherwisethreatening) property 104.

Moreover, sensors 112 may include sensors 112 disposed or mounted atlocations exterior to HVAC system 120, specifically exterior to ductwork126. Sensors 112 may additionally include sensors 112 disposed tomounted at locations interior to HVAC system 120, such as withinductwork 126. Sensors 112, as described herein, may generate alerts(e.g., audible alarm 115, a wireless alert signal, etc.) based uponpresence or potential presence of smoke/fire/soot/ash within and/or nearproperty 104. Controller 110 may subsequently receive those generatedalerts and deactivate an air circulation function of HVAC system 120, asdescribed herein. It may be beneficial for control system 102 to includeone or more of sensors 112 outside of ductwork 126. In at least somecases, by the time smoke, ash, or soot reaches ductwork 126, at leastsome of the smoke, ash, or soot may have already been circulated by HVACsystem 120 throughout property 104. By having one or more sensors 112generating alerts from locations exterior to HVAC system 120, controller110 may receive alerts sooner, facilitating improved smoke damagemitigation.

As used herein, a “smoke” event (also referred to as a “soot event”and/or a “smoke/soot event”) refers generally to any event producingsmoke, ash, and/or soot that may be damaging to property 104, particularan interior of property 104. Certain smoke events may be interior smokeevents, such as smoke events caused by smoke inside of property 104(e.g., burning food, a dryer fire, burning incense, smoking cigarettes,etc.). Other smoke events may be exterior smoke events, such aswildfires, property fires occurring at properties other than property104, and/or other events exterior to property 104 that may generatesmoke.

In the exemplary embodiment, controller 110 may be configured to receivean alert generated based upon a presence or a potential presence of atleast one of smoke, fire, ash, and soot at a location associated withproperty 104. In response to receiving the alert, controller 110 may beconfigured to deactivate an air circulation function of HVAC system 120.In so doing, smoke damage to property 104 may be mitigated.

In one implementation of the exemplary embodiment, controller 110 may beconfigured to receive an alert generated based upon a potential presenceof smoke within property 104 (e.g., a smoke event within property 104may be occurring and/or may have occurred). The alert may include asignal generated by one or more smoke detectors 114 within property 104in response to the detection of smoke within property 104. The alert mayinclude at least one of (i) an audible alarm 115 generated by a smartsmoke detector 114 in response to detection of smoke within property104; (ii) a wireless alert signal generated by a smart smoke detector114 upon activation of that smoke detector 114, transmitted by thatsmoke detector 114 (and/or another smoke detector 114 communicativelycoupled thereto) to controller 110; and (iii) an alert generated by anaudio sensor 116 upon detection of an alarm 115 generated by a smokedetector 114 transmitted by that audio sensor (and/or another audiosensor 116 communicatively coupled thereto) to controller 110 and/orreceived at controller 110 (in embodiments in which controller 110includes an audio sensor 116 therein).

In some embodiments, controller 110 may be configured to deactivate theair circulation function of HVAC system 120 in response to a controlsignal independent of a received alert. For instance, in suchembodiments, controller 110 may receive a control signal generated by aremote computing device (e.g., user computing device 105 or insuranceserver 204), the control signal causing controller 110 to deactivate theair circulation function of HVAC system 120. Controller 110 may monitoror listen for such control signals. In some embodiments, the controlsignal may be generated at the remote computing device in response tosocial media, a manual or in-person evacuation order (e.g., delivered toa user of user computing device 105, such as homeowner 106). Moreover,controller 110 may receive control signal(s) from additional oralternative sources, such as a satellite or other still imaging and/orvideo imaging device (e.g., a drone) that captures images and/or videosof fire, smoke plumes, fire/wind directions and identifies a smoke/fireevent. The satellite or other still imaging and/or video imaging devicemay additionally or alternatively generate an alert that is transmittedto controller 110, causing controller 110 to deactivate the aircirculation function of HVAC system 120.

In some embodiments, controller 110 may receive the alert includingand/or as part of smart home telematics data collected by one or moresensors 112 throughout and/or exterior to property 104. Controller 110may analyze the smart home telematics data received to identify anyindicator of presence of at least one of smoke, fire, ash, and soot in alocation associated with property 104.

Controller 110 may be configured to deactivate the air circulationfunction of HVAC system 120 by deactivating one or more components ofHVAC system 120. In one embodiment, controller 110 may deactivate blowercomponent 130 of furnace unit 124 and/or air conditioning unit 122. Insuch an embodiment, circulation of air throughout ductwork 126 may besubstantially inhibited because no component is functioning to force airthrough ductwork 126. In another embodiment, controller 110 maydeactivate heat exchanger 125 of air conditioning unit 122 and/or offurnace unit 124. In such an embodiment, smoky, ashy, and/or sooty airfrom environment 128 exterior to property 104 may not be drawn into HVACsystem 120 and/or into property 104. In some such embodiments,controller 110 may not deactivate furnace unit 124 and/or airconditioning unit 122, such that furnace unit 124 and/or airconditioning unit 122 would not need to be restarted (manually orautomatically). In another embodiment, controller 110 may deactivatefurnace unit 124 and/or air conditioning unit 122. Controller 110 may beconfigured to determine which of furnace unit 124 and air-conditioningunit 122 is active (i.e., functioning to heat, condition, or cool air)and only deactivate the one of furnace unit 124 and air conditioningunit 122 that is active. Alternatively, controller 110 may be configuredto deactivate both of furnace unit 124 and air-conditioning unit 122.Controller 110 may deactivate any component of HVAC system 120communicatively coupled thereto (e.g., via wired and/or wirelessconnection) by transmitting a control signal that causes the receivingcomponent(s) of HVAC system 120 to deactivate (e.g., by removing a powersource thereto and/or changing a state from active or enabled toinactive or disabled).

Additionally or alternatively, controller 110 may be configured todeactivate the air circulation function of HVAC system 120 by activatingone or more components of HVAC system 120. In one embodiment, controller110 may activate one or more dampers 136 of HVAC system 120, within oneor more ducts 129. Controller 110 may activate damper(s) 136 bytransmitting a control signal to respective actuator(s) 138, the controlsignal causing the respective actuator(s) 138 to close damper(s) 136 andrestrict and/or prevent airflow therepast. In some instances, ductwork126 may include one “main” damper 136A in a preliminary or centrallocation of ductwork 126, such that activating the main damper 136Awould restrict and/or prevent air circulation throughout the remainderof ductwork 126 (e.g., throughout substantially all of ducts 129). Inother embodiments, controller 110 may activate one or more vents 132 ofHVAC system 120. Controller 110 may activate vent(s) 132 by transmittinga control signal to respective actuator(s) 134, the control signalcausing the respective actuator(s) 134 to close vent(s) 132 and restrictand/or prevent airflow therepast.

In some embodiments, positions of individual sensors 112 (e.g., smokedetectors 114, and/or audio sensors 116) within property 104 are known,and an alert generated by a particular sensor 112 may be distinguishedfrom an alert generated by other sensors 112. As such, controller 110may receive an alert generated by a sensor 112 and determine a locationwithin property 104 (e.g., one or more rooms 108) associated with and/ornearby to that sensor 112. Controller 110 may be configured to activateonly those vents 132 and/or dampers 136 associated with the location ofthe sensor 112 from which the alert was received, preventing circulationof air from that location into the rest of property 104.

Controller 110 may additionally or alternatively be configured toautomatically deactivate one or more other components of property 104that may circulate and/or provide access for smoky/sooty/ashy air toenter property 104, such as an exhaust fan (e.g., a whole-house exhaust,bathroom exhaust, stove hood exhaust) or clothes dryer with an exteriorvent. In some embodiments, these other components of property 104 areIoT components such that controller 110 may access and/or control thesecomponents. In such embodiments, controller 110 may transmit controlsignals to these other components of property 104, for example, usingwired or wireless data transmission or radio communication.

In implementations in which the received alert includes and/or isassociated with alarm 115 (and/or another alert generated by smokedetector(s) 114), controller 110 may be configured to reactivate the aircirculation function of HVAC system 120 after a predefined amount oftime has passed since an end of the alert. In other words, if alarm 115stopped 30 minutes ago, controller 110 may reactivate the aircirculation function of HVAC system 120. The predefined amount of timemay be defined by homeowner 106 and/or may be pre-set (e.g., a factorysetting of controller 110). In implementations in which smart hometelematics data was analyzed to identify one or more indicator(s) of thepresence of smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot at a location associated withproperty 104, controller 110 may be configured to analyze additionalsmart home telematics data (e.g., smart home telematics data received ata later period in time) to identify any indicators of a subsequentabsence of the smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot. Controller 110 maysubsequently reactivate the air circulation function of HVAC system 120if controller 110 determines that the smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot isno longer threatening property 104.

In the exemplary embodiment, controller 110 may reactivate the aircirculation function of HVAC system 120 by reversing any steps taken todeactivate the air circulation function of HVAC system 120. For example,if controller 110 transmitted a control signal to blower component 130of furnace unit 124 to deactivate blower component 130, controller 110may transmit another control signal to blower component 130 toreactivate blower component 130. In some instances in which a componentof HVAC system 120 has been deactivated (e.g., by cutting off power tothe component), manual restarting, resetting, or reconnecting of thatcomponent may be required.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary environment 200 including buildingenvironment 100 shown in FIG. 1, illustrating another implementation ofthe exemplary control system 102. In the exemplary embodiment,controller 110 of control system 102 may be further in communication(via a wired and/or wireless connection) with one or more remote devices(such as via wireless communication or data transmission over one ormore radio frequency links or digital communication channels). Inparticular, controller 110 may be in communication with a signal hub202, an insurance server 204, and/or an emergency service beacon 206.

Emergency service beacon 206 may include any source of emergency alertinformation. For instance, emergency service beacon 206 may include acomponent of the NWS's Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) system, acomponent of an independent weather service emergency broadcast system,a beacon associated with a local emergency and/or dispatch service,and/or a beacon component of any other emergency alert/notificationsystem. Emergency service beacon 206 may include a radio antenna in someembodiments, and additionally or alternatively may include any othertype of transmitter, transceiver, and/or receiver capable of wirelessly(and/or over a wired connection) transmitting emergency alert signals ormessages.

In the exemplary embodiment, emergency service beacon 206 is a componentof the SAME system and is configured to transmit SAME alert messagesincluding alert data to receivers within a predefined area aroundemergency service beacon 206. In alternative embodiments, emergencyservice beacon 206 may be any other component capable of transmittingalert data in any format.

With reference to FIG. 3, exemplary alert data 300 is illustrated. Alertdata 300 may include a plurality of data elements 302. Data elements 302may be formatted in any suitable format capable of being transmitted byemergency service beacon 206 and received by suitable receivers withinthe predefined area around emergency service beacon 206. Data elements302 may include, for example, include information concerning athreatening weather event 304 (e.g., a wildfire), a type of alert 306(e.g., an advisory, watch or warning), a location 308 associated withweather event 304, an event duration time 310, and other information312. Location 308 may include one or more global positioning systemcoordinates indicating an area for threatening weather event 304. Alertdata 300 may additionally or alternatively include any other dataelements 302. For instance, in one embodiment, data elements 302 includedata associated with a non-weather emergency event (e.g., a house fire).

Returning to FIG. 2, in the exemplary embodiment, controller 110 mayinclude any suitable transceiver or receiver configured to receive alertdata (e.g., alert data 300) from emergency service beacon 206. Forexample, in one embodiment, controller 110 may include a radio antennaand receiver and may continuously monitor for alerts that are locallybroadcast by emergency service beacon 206 (e.g., NWS's SAME system) inthe same area as controller 110 and/or property 104. Additionally oralternatively, controller 110 may include pre-set or user-configuredlocation data or a GPS receiver to indicate a location of property 104and/or controller 110. Thus, a controller 110 tuned to a local NWSfrequency may receive alert data that is relevant for the location ofthat property 104 and/or that controller 110. Similarly, a controller110 having a location indication (e.g., pre-set, user-configured, or GPSlocation data) may determine whether received alert data includeslocation data indicating that the alert is relevant to the currentlocation of controller 110.

In such implementations of the exemplary embodiment, the alert thattriggers controller 110 may include the received alert data generated byemergency service beacon 206. As described further herein, the alert mayadditionally or alternatively include alert data generated by analternative source (e.g., signal hub 202) and/or a control signalgenerated by another source (e.g., signal hub 202, insurance server 204,and/or user computing device 105). The received alert, when associatedwith received alert data, indicates an exterior smoke event, or thepotential presence of smoke at a location exterior to but associatedwith property 104. For instance, smoke may be present within a certainnumber of miles of property 104, in the case of a wildfire alert, orsubstantially adjacent property 104, in the case of a house fire alertsent by an emergency dispatch service.

Once an alert for the location of controller 110 is received, the typeand content may be identified (e.g., based upon received data element302 of alert data 300). In some embodiments, if the alert is anadvisory, controller 110 may communicate the alert and/or portions ofthe alert data to homeowner 106, as described further herein. If thealert is a watch or a warning, then controller 110 may communicate thealert to homeowner 106 and may also automatically deactivate an aircirculation function of HVAC system 120, as described herein.

Controller 110 may be further configured to leverage smart hometelematics data with received alert data to determine whether a smokeevent such as a wildfire or house fire may be threatening to property104. For instance, controller 110 may analyze smart home telematicsdata, such as wind speed and/or wind direction data, to determinewhether a wildfire or house fire is moving towards and/or havingsmoke/soot/ash blown towards property 104.

Controller 110 may be further configured to use received alert data todetermine an estimated duration of the exterior smoke event (e.g., usingevent duration time 310). In such embodiments, when the exterior smokeevent is determined to be over, controller 110 may reactivate the aircirculation function of HVAC system 120, as described herein. In someembodiments, controller 110 may transmit a “reactivation confirmationrequest” message to homeowner 106 (e.g., to user computing device 105)before reactivating the air circulation function of HVAC system 120. Thereactivation confirmation request includes a request to homeowner 106 toconfirm or approve the reactivation of the air circulation function. Inthese embodiments, homeowner 106 may approve the request, if homeowner106 is confident the smoke event is over, or may reject the request, ifhomeowner 106 does not believe the smoke event is over or that aircirculation should be reactivated. Alternatively, controller 110 maywait to reactivate air circulation function until a control signal isreceived (e.g., from user computing device 105) that causes controller110 to reactivate the air circulation function.

Signal hub 202 may include a computing device configured to continuouslylisten or monitor for and/or receive alert data from emergency servicebeacon 206 and to transmit relevant alert data to controller 110.“Relevant” alert data may include any alert data associated with alocation including property 104. Accordingly, signal hub 202 may filteralert data received from one or more emergency service beacon 206 andonly transmit relevant alert data to controller 110. Additionally oralternatively, signal hub 202 may be configured to reformat receivedalert data into a format receivable and/or processable by controller110. For instance, signal hub 202 may include a radio antenna and/orother radio receiver configured to receive radio weather alerts andassociated alert data from emergency service beacon 206. Signal hub 202may further include any suitable computing components to reformat theradio-based alert into a text-based alert (e.g., a text message or emailmessage) receivable by controller 110.

In the exemplary embodiment, insurance server 204 includes one or morecomputing devices and/or computing systems associated with and/oroperated by an insurance entity that maintains one or more insurancepolicies associated with property 104 (e.g., homeowner's insurance,flood insurance, renter's insurance, personal property insurance, etc.).Accordingly, insurance server 204 may collect and maintain data recordsassociated with property 104 and/or insurance policies associatedtherewith. For instance, insurance server 204 may maintain claimrecords, premium information, and/or any other information.

Insurance server 204 may be configured to receive alert data fromemergency service beacon 206, signal hub 202, and/or controller 110. Forinstance, insurance server 204 may receive alert data associated withlocations including a plurality of properties 104 that may be affectedby a weather event from signal hub 202. Insurance server 204 mayadditionally or alternatively receive alert data associated with and/orrelevant to one particular property 104 from controller 110 associatedwith that property 104. In some embodiments, insurance server 204 mayreceive alert data directly from one or more emergency service beacons206 within range of insurance server 204.

In some embodiments, insurance server 204 may be configured to transmitone or more control signals to controller 110 based upon received alertdata. Insurance server 204 may transmit control signals causingcontroller 110 to deactivate and/or activate air circulation functionsof HVAC system 120 of property 104. Insurance server 204 mayadditionally or alternatively transmit request signals causingcontroller 110 to confirm whether controller 110 has performed smokemitigation process(es) in response to alert data.

In the exemplary embodiment, user computing device 105 of homeowner 106may also be configured to receive alert data, from controller 110,signal hub 202, insurance server 204, and/or emergency service beacon206. In some embodiments, homeowner 106 may receive alert data and/ormay be notified of an alert based upon preference settings selected byhomeowner 106. For example, homeowner 106 may choose to be notified viauser computing device 105. In other embodiments, homeowner 106 maychoose to be notified via visual indicators (e.g., LED lights) on acontrol panel of controller 110 and/or an HVAC control panel, such asthermostat 123.

In some embodiments, homeowner 106 may have a user preference that arequest for user response be included in certain notifications sent. Forexample, an email message or a text message may be sent to usercomputing device 105 indicating that a wildfire watch alert wasreceived. Upon viewing the email or text message, homeowner 106 mayrespond with an instruction to override the subsequent automaticmitigation steps by sending a control signal (e.g., within a furtheremail or text message) to controller 110. However, if no user responseis detected within a specified time period, or if homeowner 106 hasconfigured controller 110 to automatically initiate a smoke damagemitigation process upon receipt of such an alert, then controller 110may proceed to automatically initiate the smoke mitigation process(i.e., deactivate the air circulation function of HVAC system 120).

It should be understood that although particular alerts are describedherein, such as smoke detector alarms and emergency alerts, additionaland/or alternative alerts to trigger controller 110 to deactivate theair circulation function of HVAC system 120 may be contemplated. Forinstance, a user may utilize a user computing device (e.g., usercomputing device 105, shown in FIG. 1) to manually generate and transmitcontrol signals to trigger controller 110. The control signals may beformatted to cause controller 110 to perform the smoke damage mitigationsteps described herein. Such functionality may be useful for homeownersremote from a property such as a vacation home.

The homeowner and/or a third party, such as a property managementcompany or an insurance provider maintaining a policy associated withthe property, may send the alert if an evacuation order has been issuedfor the location of the property or if other adverse conditions exist.Moreover, it should be understood that although reference is made hereinto a “homeowner,” any such reference may be equally applicable to anyuser, such a family member of a homeowner, a renter, and/or a thirdparty.

Exemplary Controller

FIG. 4 depicts one exemplary embodiment of controller 110 for use incontrol system 102 (both shown in FIG. 1). Controller 110 may include aplurality of components, such as, but not limited to, a receiver 402, amemory 404, a timer 406, an output device 408, a transmitter 410, aprocessor 412, and/or a network interface 414. It should be understoodthat certain components illustrated as separate may, in alternativeembodiments, be implemented within the same component.

Receiver 402 may be configured to receive one or more formats or typesof incoming signals. For instance, receiver 402 may include a radioreceiving unit 420 (e.g., an antenna) configured to receive radiosignals (e.g., emergency alert data) and/or an audio receiving unit 422configured to receive audio signals (e.g., smoke detector alarms 115,shown in FIG. 1). Receiver 402 may include additional, fewer, and/oralternative units.

Memory 404 may include any suitable type of memory configured to storedata. In some embodiments, memory 404 stores rules 424 and alerts 426.Rules 424 may include rules directed to when controller 110 shouldactivate and/or deactivate various components of HVAC system 120, how toperform such activation and/or reactivation, how to interpret incomingalerts, and/or user preferences. Controller 110 may store alerts 426 inmemory 404 to track received alerts (which may include any kind ofreceived alert and/or a record thereof).

Timer 406 may be configured to implement one or more stored rules 424regarding when controller 110 may reactivate the air circulationfunction of HVAC system 120. For instance, where a stored rule 424indicates that controller 110 should reactivate air circulation functionof HVAC system 120 once 30 minutes have elapsed after the end of a smokedetector alarm, timer 406 may be configured to initiate the 30 minutesafter the end of the smoke detector alarm.

Output device 408 may include any suitable output device capable ofmaking information accessible to a user (e.g., homeowner 106). Outputdevice 408 may include one or more visual indicators, such as LEDlights, a screen, and/or a touch screen. Controller 110 may makeinformation available to user via output device 408, such as anyreceived alerts, the status of HVAC system 120 and/or any componentsthereof, and/or any other information.

Transmitter 410 may include any hardware and/or software componentssuitable to transmit information from controller 110 to anothercomputing device, such as user computing device 105, insurance server204, and/or components of HVAC system 120. Controller 110 may usetransmitter 410 to transmit control signals, status updates, alerts,alert data, notifications, and/or any other information.

Processor 412 may include any processing hardware and/or software suchthat controller 110 may function as described herein. Processor 412 maybe used to implement one or more processes described herein, such asreceiving alerts/alert data, processing alerts/alert data, receivingcontrol signals, generating control signals, and/or any other processesof controller 110.

Network interface 414 may include any network interface hardware suchthat controller 110 is accessible and/or can access one or morenetworks, such as a Wi-Fi network within property 104, near-fieldnetworks such as Bluetooth®, Local or Wide-Area Networks, and/or anyother network. Network interface 414 may facilitate communicationbetween controller 110 and one or more other devices, such as sensors112, components of HVAC system 120, user computing device 105, and/orinsurance server 204.

Exemplary Method of Monitoring Building Health

FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart of an exemplary computer-implemented method500 controlling an HVAC system (such as HVAC system 120) to mitigatesmoke damage to a property (such as property 104, both shown in FIG. 1).In the exemplary embodiment, method 500 may be performed by one or morecomputing systems, such as control system 102 (also shown in FIG. 1).

Method 500 may include a plurality of steps. In the exemplaryembodiment, method 500 may include receiving 502 an alert generatedbased upon a potential presence of smoke in a location associated withthe property. Method 500 may also include deactivating 504, in responseto receiving the alert, an air circulation function of the HVAC system.

In some embodiments, receiving 502 an alert may include receiving 502 analert generated by at least one of: (i) a device exterior to theproperty, and (ii) a device within the property and exterior to the HVACsystem. In some cases, the HVAC system may include ductwork, and thedevice within the property and exterior to the HVAC system may beexterior to the ductwork of the HVAC system. In other embodiments,receiving 502 an alert may include receiving 502 an alert generated byat least one of: (i) a device exterior to the property, (ii) a devicewithin the property and exterior to the HVAC system, and (iii) a devicewithin the property and within the HVAC system.

In some embodiments, receiving 502 an alert may include receiving 502the alert including an emergency alert from an emergency service.Additionally, receiving 502 may further include receiving 502 a NationalWeather Service wildfire alert identifying a wildfire in the locationassociated with the property, the location associated with the propertyincluding a location exterior to the property. In such embodiments,wherein the National Weather Service wildfire alert includes an affectedarea, method 500 may further include determining that the affected areaincludes the property. Additionally or alternatively, the NationalWeather Service wildfire alert includes an alert time period, and method500 further includes determining an end of the alert time period, and/orreactivating the air circulation function of the HVAC system at the endof the alert time period. In some embodiments, method 500 may furtherinclude (i) receiving smart home telematics data from one or moresensors associated with the property, (ii) analyzing the NationalWeather Service wildfire alert and the smart home telematics data todetermine whether the wildfire is moving toward the property, and/or(iii) when the wildfire is moving toward the property, deactivate theair circulation function of the HVAC system.

In some embodiments, receiving 502 may include receiving 502 theemergency alert from a signal hub. In other embodiments, receiving 502may include receiving a fire alert from an emergency dispatch service,the location associated with the property including a location exteriorto the property. In still other embodiments, receiving 502 may includereceiving 502 the alert including an audio signal generated by a smokedetector within the property, the location associated with the propertyincluding an interior of the property. In such embodiments, the audiosignal may have a beginning and an end, and method 500 may furtherinclude determining that a threshold amount of time has passed since theend of the audio signal, and/or reactivating the air circulationfunction of the HVAC system. In other embodiments, receiving 502 mayinclude receiving 502 a wireless alert signal generated by a smokedetector within the property, the location associated with the propertyincluding an interior of the property.

In still other embodiments, deactivating 504 may include deactivating504 at least one component of the HVAC system. In some cases,deactivating 504 at least one component of the HVAC system may includetransmitting a deactivation control signal to the at least onecomponent. In other cases, deactivating 504 at least one component ofthe HVAC system may include blocking transmission of power to the atleast one component. In some instances, deactivating 504 at least onecomponent of the HVAC system may include deactivating a blower componentof the HVAC system and/or deactivating a heat exchanger of the HVACsystem. Moreover, in some embodiments, deactivating 504 may includeactivating one or more dampers within ductwork of the HVAC system.

Method 500 may include additional, alternative, and/or fewer steps. Forinstance, method 500 may include (i) receiving a first wireless controlsignal from a remote computing device, and/or (ii) in response toreceiving the first wireless control signal, deactivating the aircirculation function of the HVAC system. In such embodiments, method 500may further include (i) receiving a second wireless control signal fromthe remote computing device, the second wireless control signalindicating an absence of smoke in the location associated with theproperty, and/or (ii) in response to receiving the second wirelesscontrol signal, reactivating the air circulation function of the HVACsystem.

Method 500 may include, in some embodiments, (i) analyzing smart hometelematics data received to identify any indicator of presence of atleast one of smoke, fire, ash, and soot in the location associated withthe property, and/or (ii) in response to identifying any indicator ofthe presence of the at least one of smoke, fire, ash, and soot,deactivate the air circulation function of the HVAC system. Method 500may also include (iii) analyzing the smart home telematics data receivedto identify any indicator of absence of the at least one of smoke, fire,ash, and soot in the location associated with the property, and/or (iv)in response to identifying any indicator of the absence of the at leastone of smoke, fire, ash, and soot, reactivate the air circulationfunction of the HVAC system.

Exemplary Computing Devices

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary configuration 600 of a database 620 within acomputing device 610, along with other related computing components,that may be used for receiving an alert generated based upon a potentialpresence of smoke in a location associated with a property, and inresponse to receiving the alert, deactivate an air circulation functionof the HVAC system. Database 620 may be coupled to several separatecomponents within computing device 610, which perform specific tasks. Inthe exemplary embodiment, computing device 610 may be a computingcomponent of control system 102, such as controller 110 (both shown inFIG. 1).

In the exemplary embodiment, database 620 may include rules 622 thatdirect operation of computing device 610 (which may be similar to rules424) and alert data 624 received from other devices (e.g., an emergencyservice beacon 206, shown in FIG. 2). Database 620 may includeadditional, less, and/or alternative information without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure.

Computing device 610 may include the database 620, as well as aplurality of other components including a receiving component 630, acontrol component 640, and a processing component 650. Receivingcomponent 630 may configured to receive any kind of data, specificallyalerts and/or control signals. Receiving component 630 may be integralto a receiver and/or transceiver (and/or capable of wirelesscommunication or data transmission over one or more radio links ordigital communication channels). Control component 640 may be configuredto control one or more components of an HVAC system (e.g., HVAC system120, shown in FIG. 1). For instance, control component 640 may beconfigured to deactivate an air circulation function of the HVAC system.Control component 640 may be further configured to subsequentlyreactivate the air circulation function of the HVAC system underconditions described by rules 622. Processing component 650 may assistwith execution of computer-executable instructions associated withcomputing device 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a user system 702operated by a user 701, such as homeowner 106 (shown in FIG. 1). Usersystem 702 may include, but is not limited to, user computing device105, controller 110 (both shown in FIG. 1), and/or signal hub 202 (shownin FIG. 2). In the exemplary embodiment, user system 702 may include aprocessor 705 (which may be similar to processor 412 shown in FIG. 4)for executing instructions.

In some embodiments, executable instructions may be stored in a memoryarea 710. Processor 705 may include one or more processing units, forexample, a multi-core configuration. Memory area 710 (which may besimilar to memory 404 shown in FIG. 4) may be any device allowinginformation, such as executable instructions and/or written works to bestored and/or retrieved. Memory area 710 may include one or morecomputer readable media.

User system 702 may also include at least one media output component 715for presenting information to user 701. Media output component 715 maybe any component capable of conveying information to user 701. In someembodiments, media output component 715 may include an output adapter,such as a video adapter and/or an audio adapter. An output adapter maybe operatively coupled to processor 705 and operatively couplable to anoutput device, such as a display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD),organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or “electronic ink”display, or an audio output device, a speaker or headphones.

In some embodiments, user system 702 may include an input device 720 forreceiving input from user 701. Input device 720 may include, forexample, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a stylus, a touchsensitive panel, a touch pad, a touch screen, a gyroscope, anaccelerometer, a position detector, and/or an audio input device. Asingle component, such as a touch screen, may function as both an outputdevice of media output component 715 and input device 720.

User system 702 may also include a communication interface 725, whichmay be communicatively couplable to a remote device such as controller110, signal hub 202, insurance server 204 (shown in FIG. 2), and/or anyother device. Communication interface 725 may include, for example, awired or wireless network adapter or a wireless data transceiver for usewith a mobile phone network, Global System for Mobile communications(GSM), 3G, or other mobile data network or Worldwide Interoperabilityfor Microwave Access (WIMAX).

Stored in memory area 710 are, for example, computer readableinstructions for providing a user interface to user 701 via media outputcomponent 715 and, optionally, receiving and processing input from inputdevice 720. A user interface may include, among other possibilities, aweb browser and client application. Web browsers enable users, such asuser 701, to display and interact with media and other informationtypically embedded on a web page or a website. A client application mayallow user 701 to interact with a server application.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a server system 801,such as controller 110 (shown in FIG. 1), signal hub 202, and/orinsurance server 204 (both shown in FIG. 2). Server system 801 mayinclude a processor 805 for executing instructions. Instructions may bestored in a memory area 810, for example. Processor 805 may include oneor more processing units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration) forexecuting instructions. The instructions may be executed within avariety of different operating systems on the server system 801, such asUNIX, LINUX, Microsoft Windows®, etc.

It should also be appreciated that upon initiation of a computer-basedmethod, various instructions may be executed during initialization. Someoperations may be required in order to perform one or more processesdescribed herein, while other operations may be more general and/orspecific to a particular programming language (e.g., C, C#, C++, Java,or other suitable programming languages, etc.).

Processor 805 may be operatively coupled to a communication interface815 such that server system 801 is capable of communicating with aremote device, such as a user system or another server system 801. Forexample, communication interface 815 may receive requests from usersystem 702 (shown in FIG. 7).

Processor 805 may also be operatively coupled to a storage device 825.Storage device 825 may be any computer-operated hardware suitable forstoring and/or retrieving data. In some embodiments, storage device 825may be integrated in server system 801.

For example, server system 801 may include one or more hard disk drivesas storage device 825. In other embodiments, storage device 825 isexternal to server system 801 and may be accessed by a plurality ofserver systems 801. For example, storage device 825 may include multiplestorage units such as hard disks or solid state disks in a redundantarray of inexpensive disks (RAID) configuration. Storage device 825 mayinclude a storage area network (SAN) and/or a network attached storage(NAS) system.

In some embodiments, processor 805 may be operatively coupled to storagedevice 825 via a storage interface 820. Storage interface 820 may be anycomponent capable of providing processor 805 with access to storagedevice 825. Storage interface 820 may include, for example, an AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA) adapter, a Serial ATA (SATA) adapter, aSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) adapter, a RAID controller, a SANadapter, a network adapter, and/or any component providing processor 805with access to storage device 825.

Memory areas 710 (shown in FIG. 7) and/or 810 may include, but are notlimited to, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) orstatic RAM (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). The above memory typesare exemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memoryusable for storage of a computer program.

Exemplary Insurance-Related Functionality

It is contemplated that the systems and methods described herein mayimpact one or more aspects of an insurance policy associated withproperty 104 (shown in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, an insurance policypremium may be decreased or otherwise adjusted if property 104 includescontrol system 102, as control system 102 may prevent and/or reducesmoke damage to property 104, thereby reducing cleaning and/orreplacement costs incurred after smoke damage. In other embodiments,discounts on one or more insurance policies for properties 104 that havecontrol systems 102 may be offered. In the exemplary embodiment,insurance server 204 (shown in FIG. 2) may be configured to calculateany insurance premium adjustments and/or discounts.

Insurance server 204 may additionally or alternatively be configured tocollect and store records of smoke events associated with one or moreproperties 104. Insurance 204 may monitor the frequency and/or severityof smoke events associated with properties 104, to adjust premiumsand/or offer discounts to install control systems 102 at otherproperties 104 in areas associated with a high risk of smoke damage.

Machine Learning & Other Matters

The computer-implemented methods discussed herein may includeadditional, less, or alternate actions, including those discussedelsewhere herein. The methods may be implemented via one or more localor remote processors, transceivers, servers, and/or sensors (such asprocessors, transceivers, servers, and/or sensors mounted interior orexterior to properties or mobile devices, or associated with smartinfrastructure or remote servers, or satellites), and/or viacomputer-executable instructions stored on non-transitorycomputer-readable media or medium.

Additionally, the computer systems discussed herein may includeadditional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussedelsewhere herein. The computer systems discussed herein may include orbe implemented via computer-executable instructions stored onnon-transitory computer-readable media or medium.

A processor or a processing element may be trained using supervised orunsupervised machine learning, and the machine learning program mayemploy a neural network, which may be a convolutional neural network, adeep learning neural network, or a combined learning module or programthat learns in two or more fields or areas of interest. Machine learningmay involve identifying and recognizing patterns in existing data inorder to facilitate making predictions for subsequent data. Models maybe created based upon example inputs in order to make valid and reliablepredictions for novel inputs.

Additionally or alternatively, the machine learning programs may betrained by inputting sample data sets or certain data into the programs,such as weather, emergency dispatch, NWS emergency alert, NOAA emergencyalert, NOAA “Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Fire and Smoke Product” data orimagery, audible smoke alarm, and/or “smart home” telematics data. Themachine learning programs may utilize deep learning algorithms that maybe primarily focused on pattern recognition, and may be trained afterprocessing multiple examples. The machine learning programs may includeBayesian program learning (BPL), automatic reasoning, and/or machinelearning.

In supervised machine learning, a processing element may be providedwith example inputs and their associated outputs, and may seek todiscover a general rule that maps inputs to outputs, so that whensubsequent novel inputs are provided the processing element may, basedupon the discovered rule, accurately predict the correct output. Inunsupervised machine learning, the processing element may be required tofind its own structure in unlabeled example inputs. In one embodiment,machine learning techniques may be used to extract data about fire andsmoke hazards from weather, emergency dispatch, NWS emergency alert,NOAA emergency alert, NOAA “Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Fire and SmokeProduct” data or imagery, audible smoke alarm, and/or “smart home”telematics data, and/or other data.

Based upon these analyses, the processing element may learn how toidentify characteristics and patterns that may then be applied toanalyzing weather, emergency dispatch, NWS emergency alert, NOAAemergency alert, NOAA “Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Fire and SmokeProduct” data or imagery, audible smoke alarm, and/or “smart home”telematics data, and/or other data. For example, the processing elementmay learn, with the user's permission or affirmative consent, toidentify a smoke or fire hazard based upon minimal information ordespite a misclassification provided by an input. The processing elementmay also learn how to identify different types of fire or smoke hazardsbased upon differences in the received sensor data.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In one aspect, a controller for controlling a heating, ventilation, andair conditioning (HVAC) system to mitigate smoke damage to a buildingmay be provided. The controller may be in wired or wirelesscommunication with the HVAC system, and the controller comprising one ormore processors, sensors, and/or transceivers in communication with amemory device. The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceiversmay be programmed to: (1) receive an alert generated based upon apotential presence of smoke or fire in a location associated with theproperty (either interior or exterior to the property) via wirelesscommunication or data transmission over one or more radio links ordigital communication channels, the alert including, comprising, orembedded within, intelligent home telematics data collected or generatedby one or more smart or other sensors mounted on the interior orexterior of the property; and/or (2) in response to receiving the alert(and/or intelligent home telematics data), deactivate an air circulationfunction of the HVAC system. Additionally or alternatively, the alertmay be included or embedded within the intelligent home telematics datagenerated, transmitted, and/or analyzed. The controller may includeadditional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussedelsewhere herein.

The alert and/or intelligent home telematics data may include datagenerated or collected by smart or other sensors mounted on the interioror exterior of a home. For instance, smoke, fire, ash, soot, audio,video, image, infrared, and/or other sensors may generate, collect, andtransmit the home telematics data to a smart home controller foranalysis to determine the presence or absence of smoke, fire, ash, orsoot within a property or within the vicinity of a property.

Additionally or alternatively, the alert and/or intelligent hometelematics data may include an emergency radio signal generated by anemergency service. The emergency signal and/or intelligent hometelematics data may include a National Weather Service wildfire alert orother alert from the National Weather Service, the location associatedwith the property including a location exterior to the property. TheNational Weather Service wildfire alert may include an affected area,the one or more processors further programmed to determine that theaffected area includes the property, and/or including analyzing windspeed and/or direction information to estimate a path and/or duration ofthe wildfire.

The National Weather Service wildfire alert may include an alert timeperiod, and the one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers maybe further programmed to: determine an end of the alert time period; andreactivate the air circulation function of the HVAC system at the end ofthe alert time period.

The emergency signal and/or intelligent home telematics data may includea fire alert from an emergency dispatch service, and the locationassociated with the property may include a location exterior to theproperty. The alert and/or intelligent home telematics data may includean audio signal generated by a smoke detector or fire detector withinthe property, and the location associated with the property may includean interior of the property. The audio signal may have a beginning andan end, and the one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers maybe further programmed to: determine that a threshold amount of time haspassed since the end of the audio signal; and reactivate the aircirculation function of the HVAC system.

The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers of thecontroller may be further programmed to deactivate at least onecomponent of the HVAC system to deactivate the air circulation function.The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers may be furtherconfigured to transmit a control signal to the at least one component todeactivate the at least one component. The one or more processors may befurther configured to block transmission of power to the at least onecomponent to deactivate the at least one component.

The at least one component may include a blower component of the HVACsystem. The at least one component may include a heat exchanger of theHVAC system. The one or more processors may be further programmed toactivate one or more dampers to deactivate the air circulation function.The alert and/or intelligent home telematics data may include a wirelessalert signal generated by a smoke detector or fire detector within theproperty, and the location associated with the property may include aninterior of the property.

The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers of thecontroller may be further programmed to receive a first wireless controlsignal from a remote computing device, and deactivate the aircirculation function in response to receiving the first wireless controlsignal. The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers may befurther programmed to: receive a second wireless control signal from theremote computing device, the second wireless control signal may indicatean absence of smoke in the location associated with the property; and inresponse to receiving the second wireless control signal, reactivate theair circulation function of the HVAC system.

The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers of thecontroller may be further programmed to: listen for a particularwireless control signal from a remote computing device, the wirelesscontrol signal indicating a presence or absence of smoke or fire in thelocation associated with the property; and in response to receiving thewireless control signal, deactivate or reactivate, respectively, the aircirculation function of the HVAC system.

The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers of thecontroller may be further programmed to: analyze the intelligent hometelematics data received to identify telematics data indicating apresence of smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot in the location associatedwith the property; and in response to receiving the wireless controlsignal and/or intelligent home telematics data, deactivate the aircirculation function of the HVAC system.

The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers of thecontroller may be further programmed to: analyze the intelligent hometelematics data received to identify telematics data indicating anabsence of smoke, fire, ash, and/or soot in the location associated withthe property; and in response to receiving the wireless control signaland/or intelligent home telematics data, reactivate the air circulationfunction of the HVAC system.

The one or more processors, sensors, and/or transceivers of thecontroller may be further programmed to: analyze the intelligent hometelematics data received to identify telematics data indicating apresence of wildfire in the vicinity of the property and/or movingtoward the property; and in response to receiving the wireless controlsignal and/or intelligent home telematics data indicating the presenceof wildfire in the vicinity of the property and/or moving toward theproperty, deactivate the air circulation function of the HVAC system.

The one or more processors, sensors, transceivers of the controller maybe further programmed to: analyze the intelligent home telematics datareceived to identify telematics data indicating a presence of smoke,fire, ash, and/or soot in the location associated with the property, theintelligent home telematics data being collected or generated by sensorsmounted on the exterior or interior of the property; and in response toreceiving the wireless control signal and/or intelligent home telematicsdata, deactivate the air circulation function of the HVAC system.

In another aspect, a computer-implemented method of controlling aheating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to mitigatesmoke and/or fire damage to a property may be provided. The method maybe implemented using a controller in communication with the HVAC system.The method comprising: receiving via wireless communication or datatransmission over one or more radio links or wireless communicationchannels, by the controller, an alert and/or intelligent home telematicsdata generated based upon a potential presence of smoke in a locationassociated with the property, the alert and/or intelligent hometelematics data being collected, generated, or relayed by one or moresmart or other sensors and/or transceivers mounted on the interior orexterior of the property; and in response to receiving the alert and/orintelligent home telematics data, deactivating, by the controller, anair circulation function of the HVAC system. The home telematics datamay include data generated or collected smoke, fire, soot, ash, audio,video, visual, infrared, motion, and/or other sensors mounted about theproperty. The method may include additional, less, or alternate actions,including those discussed elsewhere herein.

In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method of controlling aheating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to mitigatesmoke damage to a property is described. The method is implemented usinga controller in communication with the HVAC system. The method comprisesreceiving, by the controller, an alert generated based upon a potentialpresence of at least one of smoke and fire in a location associated withthe property, and in response to receiving the alert, deactivating, bythe controller, an air circulation function of the HVAC system.

The method further includes receiving an alert generated by at least oneof: (i) a device exterior to the property, and (ii) a device within theproperty and exterior to the HVAC system.

The method further includes receiving an alert generated by a deviceexterior to ductwork of the HVAC system.

The method further includes receiving an alert generated by at least oneof: (i) a device exterior to the property, (ii) a device within theproperty and exterior to the HVAC system, and (iii) a device within theproperty and within the HVAC system.

The method further includes receiving smart home telematics data,analyzing the smart home telematics data received to identify anyindicator of presence of at least one of smoke, fire, ash, and soot inthe location associated with the property, and in response toidentifying any indicator of the presence of the at least one of smoke,fire, ash, and soot, deactivating the air circulation function of theHVAC system.

The method further includes analyzing the smart home telematics datareceived to identify any indicator of absence of the at least one ofsmoke, fire, ash, and soot in the location associated with the property,and in response to identifying any indicator of the absence of the atleast one of smoke, fire, and ash, soot, reactivating the aircirculation function of the HVAC system.

The method further includes receiving the alert including an emergencyalert from an emergency service.

The method further includes receiving a National Weather Servicewildfire alert, the location associated with the property including alocation exterior to the property.

The method further includes, wherein the National Weather Servicewildfire alert includes an affected area, determining that the affectedarea includes the property.

The method further includes, wherein the National Weather Servicewildfire alert includes an alert time period, determining an end of thealert time period, and reactivating the air circulation function of theHVAC system at the end of the alert time period.

The method further includes receiving smart home telematics data fromone or more sensors associated with the property, analyzing the NationalWeather Service wildfire alert and the smart home telematics data todetermine whether the wildfire is moving toward the property, and whenthe wildfire is moving toward the property, deactivating the aircirculation function of the HVAC system.

The method further includes receiving smart home telematics dataincluding receiving at least one of wind speed data and wind directiondata.

The method further includes receiving the emergency alert includingreceiving the emergency alert from a signal hub.

The method further includes receiving a fire alert from an emergencydispatch service, wherein the location is associated with the propertyincluding a location exterior to the property.

The method further includes receiving the alert comprising an audiosignal generated by a smoke detector within the property, wherein thelocation is associated with the property including an interior of theproperty.

The method further includes receiving the audio signal having abeginning and an end, determining that a threshold amount of time haspassed since the end of the audio signal, and reactivating the aircirculation function of the HVAC system.

The method of claim 31, wherein deactivating an air circulation functionof an HVAC system comprises deactivating at least one component of theHVAC system.

The method further includes deactivating at least one component of theHVAC system including transmitting a deactivation control signal to theat least one component.

The method further includes deactivating at least one component of theHVAC system including blocking transmission of power to the at least onecomponent.

The method further includes deactivating at least one component of theHVAC system including deactivating at least one of a blower component ofthe HVAC system and a heat exchanger of the HVAC system.

The method further includes deactivating an air circulation function ofan HVAC system including activating one or more dampers within ductworkof the HVAC system.

The method further includes deactivating one or more components of theproperty that circulate air within the property.

The method further includes deactivating one or more components of theproperty including deactivating at least one of an exhaust fan and avented appliance.

The method further includes receiving an alert including receiving awireless alert signal generated by a smoke detector within the property,wherein the location is associated with the property including aninterior of the property.

The method further includes receiving a first wireless control signalfrom a remote computing device, and, in response to receiving the firstwireless control signal, deactivating the air circulation function ofthe HVAC system.

The method further includes receiving a second wireless control signalfrom the remote computing device, the second wireless control signalindicating an absence of smoke in the location associated with theproperty, and in response to receiving the second wireless controlsignal, reactivating the air circulation function of the HVAC system.

In another embodiment, at least one non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium having computer-executable instructions embodied thereonis described. Wherein when executed by at least one processor of acontroller in communication with a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system of a property, the computer-executableinstructions cause the at least one processor to receive an alertgenerated based upon a potential presence of at least one of smoke andfire in a location associated with the property, and in response toreceiving the alert, deactivate an air circulation function of the HVACsystem.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes analert generated by at least one of: (i) a device exterior to theproperty, and (ii) a device within the property and exterior to the HVACsystem.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theHVAC system including ductwork, and the device within the property andexterior to the HVAC system is exterior to the ductwork of the HVACsystem.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes analert generated by at least one of: (i) a device exterior to theproperty, (ii) a device within the property and exterior to the HVACsystem, and (iii) a device within the property and within the HVACsystem.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thealert being generated by one or more sensors associated with theproperty and in communication with the controller.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theone or more sensors comprise one or more smart sensors.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theone or more sensors being mounted to the property.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thealert including smart home telematics data.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to analyze the smart home telematics data received to identifyany indicator of presence of at least one of smoke, fire, ash, and sootin the location associated with the property, and in response toidentifying any indicator of the presence of the at least one of smoke,fire, ash, and soot, deactivate the air circulation function of the HVACsystem.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to analyze the smart home telematics data received to identifyany indicator of absence of the at least one of smoke, fire, ash, andsoot in the location associated with the property, and in response toidentifying any indicator of the absence of the at least one of smoke,fire, ash, and soot, reactivate the air circulation function of the HVACsystem.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thealert including an emergency alert from an emergency service.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theemergency alert including a National Weather Service wildfire alert, andthe location is associated with the property including a locationexterior to the property.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theNational Weather Service wildfire alert including an affected area, andthe one or more processors further programmed to determine that theaffected area includes the property.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theNational Weather Service wildfire alert including an alert time period,and wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the atleast one processor to determine an end of the alert time period, andreactivate the air circulation function of the HVAC system at the end ofthe alert time period.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to receive smart home telematics data from one or more sensorsassociated with the property, analyze the National Weather Servicewildfire alert and the smart home telematics data to determine whetherthe wildfire is moving toward the property, and when the wildfire ismoving toward the property, deactivate the air circulation function ofthe HVAC system.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includessmart home telematics data that includes at least one of wind speed dataand wind direction data.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theemergency alert including a fire alert from an emergency dispatchservice, wherein the location is associated with the property includinga location exterior to the property.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thealert including an audio signal generated by a smoke detector within theproperty, wherein the location is associated with the property includingan interior of the property.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theaudio signal having a beginning and an end, and wherein thecomputer-executable instructions further cause the at least oneprocessor to determine that a threshold amount of time has passed sincethe end of the audio signal, and reactivate the air circulation functionof the HVAC system.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to deactivate at least one component of the HVAC system todeactivate the air circulation function.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to transmit a control signal to the at least one component todeactivate the at least one component.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to block transmission of power to the at least one componentto deactivate the at least one component.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theat least one component having at least one of a blower component of theHVAC system and a heat exchanger of the HVAC system.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to activate one or more dampers to deactivate the aircirculation function.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to deactivate one or more components of the property thatcirculate air within the property.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes theone or more components of the property including at least one of anexhaust fan and a vented appliance.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thealert including a wireless alert signal generated by a smoke detectorwithin the property, wherein the location is associated with theproperty including an interior of the property.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to receive a first wireless control signal from a remotecomputing device, and in response to receiving the first wirelesscontrol signal, deactivate the air circulation function of the HVACsystem.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further includes thecomputer-executable instructions further causing the at least oneprocessor to receive a second wireless control signal from the remotecomputing device, the second wireless control signal indicating anabsence of smoke in the location associated with the property, and inresponse to receiving the second wireless control signal, reactivate theair circulation function of the HVAC system.

Additional Features

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description ofnumerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legalscope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forthat the end of this patent and equivalents. The detailed description isto be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment since describing every possible embodiment would beimpractical. Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented, usingeither current technology or technology developed after the filing dateof this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

The following additional considerations apply to the foregoingdiscussion. Throughout this specification, plural instances mayimplement components, operations, or structures described as a singleinstance. Although individual operations of one or more methods areillustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of theindividual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothingrequires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated.Structures and functionality presented as separate components in exampleconfigurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component.Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single componentmay be implemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

As will be appreciated based upon the foregoing specification, theabove-described embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof. Anysuch resulting program, having computer-readable code means, may beembodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, therebymaking a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture,according to the discussed embodiments of the disclosure. Thecomputer-readable media may be, for example, but is not limited to, afixed (hard) drive, diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductormemory such as read-only memory (ROM), and/or any transmitting/receivingmedium such as the Internet or other communication network or link. Thearticle of manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/orused by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the codefrom one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over anetwork.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications, “apps”, or code) include machine instructions for aprogrammable processor, and can be implemented in a high-levelprocedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or inassembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readablemedium” “computer-readable medium” refers to any computer programproduct, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks,memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. The “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium,” however, do not include transitory signals.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

As used herein, a processor may include any programmable systemincluding systems using micro-controllers, reduced instruction setcircuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logiccircuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing thefunctions described herein. The above examples are example only, and arethus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning ofthe term “processor.”

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by aprocessor, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROMmemory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexample only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usablefor storage of a computer program.

In one embodiment, a computer program is provided, and the program isembodied on a computer readable medium. In an example embodiment, thesystem is executed on a single computer system, without requiring aconnection to a sever computer. In a further embodiment, the system isbeing run in a Windows® environment (Windows is a registered trademarkof Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.). In yet another embodiment,the system is run on a mainframe environment and a UNIX® serverenvironment (UNIX is a registered trademark of X/Open Company Limitedlocated in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom). The application isflexible and designed to run in various different environments withoutcompromising any major functionality. In some embodiments, the systemincludes multiple components distributed among a plurality of computingdevices. One or more components may be in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium.The systems and processes are not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed herein. In addition, components of each system and eachprocess can be practiced independent and separate from other componentsand processes described herein. Each component and process can also beused in combination with other assembly packages and processes.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “example embodiment” or “one embodiment” ofthe present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excludingthe existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate therecited features.

The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intendedto be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditionalmeans-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for”or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).

This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devicesor systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopeof the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include otherexamples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples areintended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structuralelements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, orif they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantialdifferences from the literal language of the claims.

I claim:
 1. A controller for controlling a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system to mitigate smoke damage to a property, thecontroller in communication with the HVAC system, the controllercomprising one or more processors in communication with a memory device,the one or more processors programmed to: receive an alert indicating apresence of smoke in a location associated with the property, the alertincluding an emergency alert from an emergency service; receivetelematics data from one or more sensors associated with the property;analyze the alert and the telematics data to determine movement of thesmoke towards the property; and in response to determining saidmovement, deactivate an external air circulation function of the HVACsystem.
 2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the alert includes analert generated by at least one of: (i) a device exterior to theproperty, and (ii) a device within the property and exterior to the HVACsystem.
 3. The controller of claim 2, wherein the HVAC system includesductwork, and the device within the property and exterior to the HVACsystem is exterior to the ductwork of the HVAC system.
 4. The controllerof claim 1, wherein the alert includes an alert generated by at leastone of: (i) a device exterior to the property, (ii) a device within theproperty and exterior to the HVAC system, and (iii) a device within theproperty and within the HVAC system.
 5. The controller of claim 1,wherein the alert is generated by one or more sensors associated withthe property and in communication with the controller.
 6. The controllerof claim 5, wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more smartsensors.
 7. The controller of claim 5, wherein the one or more sensorsare mounted to the property.
 8. The controller of claim 1, wherein thealert includes smart home telematics data.
 9. The controller of claim 8,wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to: analyzethe smart home telematics data received to identify any indicator ofpresence of at least one of the smoke, fire, ash, and soot in thelocation associated with the property; and in response to identifyingany indicator of the presence of at least one of the smoke, the fire,the ash, and the soot, deactivate the air circulation function of theHVAC system.
 10. The controller of claim 9, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further programmed to: analyze the smart home telematicsdata received to identify any indicator of absence of at least one ofthe smoke, the fire, the ash, and the soot in the location associatedwith the property; and in response to identifying any indicator of theabsence of at least one of the smoke, the fire, the ash, and the soot,reactivate the air circulation function of the HVAC system.
 11. Thecontroller of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors receive thealert over at least one of: (i) one or more radio links, (ii) one ormore digital communication channels, and (iii) one or more wired datacommunication channels.
 12. The controller of claim 1, wherein the alertincludes a National Weather Service wildfire alert identifying awildfire in the location associated with the property, the locationassociated with the property including a location exterior to theproperty.
 13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the National WeatherService wildfire alert includes an affected area, the one or moreprocessors further programmed to determine that the affected areaincludes the property.
 14. The controller of claim 12, wherein theNational Weather Service wildfire alert includes an alert time period,the one or more processors further programmed to: determine an end ofthe alert time period; and reactivate the air circulation function ofthe HVAC system at the end of the alert time period.
 15. The controllerof claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further programmedto: receive telematics data including smart home telematics data fromone or more sensors associated with the property, wherein the propertyincludes a smart home located on the property; analyze the NationalWeather Service wildfire alert and the smart home telematics data todetermine whether the wildfire is moving toward the property; and whenthe wildfire is moving toward the property, deactivate the aircirculation function of the HVAC system.
 16. The controller of claim 15,wherein the smart home telematics data includes at least one of windspeed data and wind direction data.
 17. The controller of claim 1,wherein the alert includes a fire alert generated by an emergencydispatch service, the location associated with the property including alocation exterior to the property.
 18. The controller of claim 1,wherein the alert includes an audio signal generated by a smoke detectorwithin the property, the location associated with the property includingan interior of the property.
 19. The controller of claim 18, wherein theaudio signal has a beginning and an end, the one or more processorsfurther programmed to: determine that a threshold amount of time haspassed since the end of the audio signal; and reactivate the aircirculation function of the HVAC system.
 20. A computer-implementedmethod of controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) system to mitigate smoke damage to a property, the methodimplemented using a controller in communication with the HVAC system,the method comprising: receiving, by the controller, an alert indicatinga presence of smoke in a location associated with the property, thealert including an emergency alert from an emergency service; receivingtelematics data from one or more sensors associated with the property;analyzing the alert and the telematics data to determine movement of thesmoke is moving towards the property; and in response to determiningsaid movement, deactivating, by the controller, an external aircirculation function of the HVAC system.